Every situation brings its opportunities, and the current economic slowdown is no different. Some industry leaders have identified these opportunities and have taken steps that would lead their organisations to grow, even in a slowdown. And some are still looking out for the right opportunities. The exchange4media Conclave 2009 would discuss these opportunities for various domains, and delve on what road should be taken for the industry to be on the right track post the crisis. The exchange4media Conclave 2009 is presented by STAR News and powered by Hindustan Times.

The exchange4media Conclave kicks off in Mumbai on June 3, while the Delhi leg is planned on June 5. The theme this year is ‘Thriving in Challenging Times’. The Conclave Keynote Speakers are Mark Patterson, CEO, GroupM APAC and Asit Mehra, Executive Vice President, Omnicom Worldwide. The Economist Group’s CEO Andrew Rashbass would deliver a Special Address at the Conclave.

The exchange4media Conclave can be attended by registration only, and registrations close on May 31, 2009. Registrations can be done by writing to conclaveregistration@exchange4media.com.

Discussions in Mumbai on June 3, 2009

The Mumbai discussions begin with an address on the ‘The Opportunities of Slowdown…’, which would look at where India is positioned in the current global scenario, and also cite global case studies and examples of brands that were built, and grew, in recessionary times. The next session is on ‘Opportunities in the Current Media Scenario: Is Media Responding to it?’. This session would look at whether advertisers, media agencies and media houses in India have identified and responding to the opportunities that the current economic scenario presents.

Following a Special Address on ‘Mass Intelligence’, the next address in the day would be ‘Where is Advertising Headed’, which would also see global case studies and examples of brands that were built, and grew, amid slowdown. The following session is on ‘Media Services Agencies: Is it time to rework the media agency model?’

Another topic that would be discussed in the Mumbai leg is ‘Accountability helps? Has the current economic scenario given any advantage to mediums that can be measured?’

Discussions in Delhi on June 5, 2009

The first address would be on ‘Changing rules of media accountability: How should media stakeholders respond to this?’ The Macro Session in Delhi would be on ‘How should media respond to clients’ needs in the current environment?’ The session following this is on ‘What comes first: Media or the message?’ The session would take on the discussion over integration and 360 degree communication -- everyone says that this is the future but who is leading this --- the creative agencies or the media agencies... Who is better positioned to lead the new age communication?

The next session of the day is on ‘From Available to Accountable: Ad Spends Movement Between Mediums in Slowdown’. This session would delve on the thought process of advertisers of ad spends allocation in the slowdown. Are the accountable mediums winning more?

Both the cities would end with a special discussion by the chief executive officers and managing directors of various organisations to lay down a structured roadmap on where the industry should be headed from here.

(As mentioned above, the exchange4media Conclave can be attended by registration only, and registrations close on May 31, 2009. Registrations can be done by writing to
conclaveregistration@exchange4media.com.)